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Many of the numerous species of persimmon can be grown in Georgia. Our native persimmon,
Diospyros virginiana, is found from Florida north to Connecticut, west to Iowa and south to
Texas. Oriental persimmons, Diospyros kaki, were introduced into the United States less than a
hundred years ago. They are not as familiar as native persimmons, but they are superior in
quality.

Site and Soil Requirements

Native persimmons are known to be hardy to temperatures of 20-25 degrees F below zero
without apparent winter injury. Thus, they can be grown in any area of Georgia. The oriental
persimmon may be injured or killed below 10 degrees F. As a general rule, oriental persimmons
should not be grown north of Macon. Exceptions to this rule are the oriental persimmon varieties
Great Wall, Peping and Sheng grafted onto native persimmon rootstock. These are hardy to zero
degrees F.

Native persimmons grow in a wide range of soil types and are commonly found along roadsides
and in abandoned fields. Oriental persimmons also tolerate a wide range of soil types once they
are established. Soil moisture extremes resulting from poor drainage or drought can cause serious
fruit drop, however.

Varieties

Many native persimmons are simply seedling trees. The quality of fruit from such trees will vary.
A number of native persimmons have been selected and named and are available from some
nurseries. Only by obtaining a known variety of either native or oriental persimmon from a
reliable nursery will you be sure of obtaining trees with desirable fruit characteristics.

1This information, based on sources in other parts of the Midwest and South, is considered useful for growing conditions in Georgia.2Should not be grown north of Macon.3May be grown in the northern part of the state when grafted on D. virginiana rootstocks.

Flowering and Pollination Requirements

Native persimmons are usually dioecious; that is, trees produce either male or female flowers.
Only rarely are native persimmons self-pollinating. Thus, both female and male trees are usually
necessary to produce a full crop.

In oriental persimmons, female, male and/or perfect flowers can be produced on the same tree. In
addition, many oriental persimmons can produce fruit from unfertilized flowers (parthenocarpic
fruit), though such fruit have no seed. The oriental persimmon varieties Ichikikei Jiro, Tamopan,
Tanenashi and Hachiya produce quality fruit without pollination. Although fruit can be produced
without pollination, heavier and more consistent crops usually result from pollination.
Parthenocarpic fruit are much more prone to drop during the growing season.

Oriental persimmons can be pollinated by Fuyu or Gailey oriental varieties. Native persimmons
will not cross-pollinate with oriental persimmons.

Planting and Care

Oriental persimmons grow to a height of 20-30 feet at maturity although some varieties may stay
as short as 10 feet. Native persimmons may reach a height of 30-40 feet. Within the landscape or
garden, give oriental persimmons as much space to develop as you generally would for other fruit
or nut trees.

Fertilize young trees with 10-10-10 in early spring and in mid-summer at the rate of 2 ounces per
year of tree age. Fertilize bearing trees lightly. The fertilization normally supplied in a lawn
situation is often sufficient. Excess nitrogen fertilization, however, can cause fruit drop.

In some years, trees will crop heavily resulting in a light crop the following year. This is called
biennial bearing and is common in many fruit and nut crops. To reduce the problem, thin the
fruit to 6 inches apart on oriental persimmons within a month after bloom in a year when the crop
is heavy.

Minimal pruning, consisting of complete limb removal to prevent limb crossing and to remove
dead or broken limbs, may be necessary. More extensive pruning may be necessary as the tree
gets older to control tree size.

Fruiting and Harvest

The fruit of native persimmons are round or oval, about the size of a plum. In most cases, the
flesh is very pungent and, until soft and ripe, astringent in taste. Oriental persimmon fruit attain
the size of a peach and, in general, commercial varieties are not as astringent when ripe as native
persimmons.

A misconception exists that frost is required before persimmons are edible. This is incorrect and,
in fact, frost will ruin immature fruit on the tree. High quality persimmons lose astringency as
they ripen — often well in advance of frosts.

Persimmons continue to ripen after they are picked. Many varieties must be allowed to become
fully soft ripe before they lose enough astringency to be edible. Exceptions are Fuyu and Jiro,
which can be eaten green when firm with little astringency.

Insect Pests

Native persimmons may be attacked by a number of insects; oriental persimmons are, at this
time, relatively free of serious insect problems. Insect pests of persimmons include scale,
persimmon psyllid, leafrolling and defoliating caterpillars, and persimmon borer.

Persimmon scale and tuliptree scale are to be expected. In unsprayed situations, scale are
generally kept under control by natural parasites, predators and diseases. Spraying for other pests
often releases scale from natural control. Dormant oil application shortly before bud swell should
provide good control of scale.

Persimmon psyllid is a tiny, leaf feeding, aphid-like pest that causes leaf deformation. Infested
leaves roll and curl up on themselves. Psyllid are often limited by natural parasites. Don’t apply
insecticides until after you have observed damage.

Caterpillars such as fall webworm, red-humped caterpillar and variable oak leaf caterpillar will
occasionally infest persimmons. These pests also tend to be heavily parasitized, limiting their
importance as pests. Insecticides are effective where damage warrants use.

Persimmon borer is a serious pest of native and oriental persimmons. It has been seen attacking
oriental persimmons in Georgia, although it is known to infest both species in other states. Its
larvae attack the lower trunk and tap roots. Where infestations occur, preventive insecticide
treatments similar to those made for peachtree borer will be required.

Other sporadic pests of persimmons include ambrosia beetles that attack where bark is injured or
sun-scalded. White latex paint minimizes the latter cause. Termites will attack young potted
plants if they are weak or those heavily mulched with sawdust at transplanting. Avoiding the use
of sawdust eliminates this problem.

Status and Revision History
Published on Jan 01, 1996Published on Apr 15, 2006Published on Feb 27, 2009Published with Full Review on Feb 09, 2012Published with Full Review on Feb 20, 2015

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